Dangling wires issue set for open hearing

NAGA CITY --- The resolution filed by City Councilor Joe Perez seeking an investigation on the messy and chaotic dangling wires and cables around the city’s power distribution and communication lines has been elevated to the Sangguniang Panglunsod’s Oversight Committee for a wider and more exhaustive discussion and debate over matters surrounding the issue.

This came after Perez himself sought to amend his initial resolution of a joint hearing by concerned committees where various companies that own and maintain power lines, cable TV lines, telephone systems and other energy and communication distribution lines will be invited to explain why there have been apparent violations of City Ordinance No. 2005-030 that requires the proper installation and maintenance of distribution lines of various utilities in the city.

In a privilege speech earlier, Perez took to task those responsible for the dangling and sagging cables and electric wires saying that aside from becoming eyesores in the city’s skyline, these poorly-maintained distribution lines also pose danger to both motorists and pedestrians, especially during bad weather.

The councilor said that one of the important provisions of said Ordinance states that “[h]orizontal and vertical clearances of distribution lines shall be maintained at all times in accordance with Philippine Electrical Code I and II and that all redundant poles shall be removed.”

Perez threatened that all errant power and communication companies should be held accountable especially that penalty provisions have been provided in the 14-year old city ordinance.

With the resolution being raised to the Oversight Committee, such committee will be assembled as a whole for an exhaustive hearing to be attended and participated in by all members of the Sanggunian with the vice mayor as chairperson. The hearing/s will be open to the public as if it were a regular session.

To be invited during the Oversight Committee hearing are concerned officers of various power and communication companies, such as Casureco II, Digitel/PLDT, SkyCable TV, Caceres Cable TV, Globe, and Converge, among others, as well as the City Engineer, the City Planning Officer, the DPWH 3rd Engineering District Office, and officers and authorized representatives from Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers (IIEE), United Architects of the Philippines, and those as from the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Naga City People’s Council, and the Liga ng mga Barangay.